Amusement apparatus



NOV. 22, 1938. Q R, ccu'rc N 2,137,345

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 51, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l A iiorneys Nov. 22, 1938. R. B. MOCUTCHEOIN AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 31, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aiiorneys Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to an electrical apparatus for stage eiiects and its object is to provide a simple device which may be used for controlling 5 the operation of a radio and for lighting and extinguishing an electrical lamp in response to the movements of the person entertaining; and the invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of 10 the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the application of the in vention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a switch.

15 Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the switch.

Figure 4 is a view of the switch with parts broken away and shown in section and with the switch in open position and Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a shoe 20 having a switch associated therewith and with certain parts broken away and shown in section.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that 5 indicates generally 25 a table or other suitable support which may be set up on the stage. Mounted on the table is a conventional radio 6 and an electric lamp socket i that accommodates an electric lamp 8.

A shoe is indicated by the reference numeral 30 9 and on the heel of the shoe is a stationary contact pin I0. A movable or spring contact element I I is affixed internally of the shoe to the sole of the shoe and projecting back to the stationary contact I as shown.

35 In Figure l I have shown the actor or entertainer indicated by the reference numeral I2 as being provided with a pair of such shoes 9.

The reference numeral I3 indicates a switch which consists of a rectangular casing I4 of di- 40 electric or insulating material. Riveted or oth-' erwise secured to opposite sides of the casing I4 are contact strips I and I6 respectively and equipped with terminals I'I.

One of the strips, for example the strip I6 has 45 an angular end I8 that is riveted or otherwise secured as at I9 to a cover or lid member 29 provided for one end of the receptacle I4. It will thus be seen that the contact strip I6 and its extension I8 tends to properly seat the cover 50 20 for closing the receptacle I3 and when the cover 20 is in closed condition contact extension 18 engages the adjacent end of the contact !5 for completing an electrical circuit. A ball or other suitable element 2| of a suitable weight 55 is confined within the receptacle I3 and when the receptacle E4 is in, for example, the vertical position shown in Figure 4 with the lid 20 at the bottom end of the receptacle, the member 2! will act on the lid 26 to move the same to a partially open position for separating contact extension 5 i3 and contact I5 for interrupting the electrical circuit.

In Figure 1 the wires of the electrical circuit embodying the radio 6, light 8, contacts l0 and l i, and contacts I 5 and I8 as shown in broken line, the electrical supply being obtained from any suitable external source, the wire 22 leading from said source and connected with one side of the radio 6. One side of the electric socket I is connected with the radio 5 through the medium of a wire 23 while the other side of the socket I is connected through the medium of a wire 24 with the metallic floor or surface upon which the entertainer performs. The movable contact II in said one shoe is connected with the contact it through the medium of a wire 25 that extends upwardly through a trouser leg of the dancer, and across the shoulders of the dancer down through one sleeve of his coat as clearly suggested in Figure 1. Contact I6 is connected 25 through the medium of a wire 26 that extends through said one sleeve of the coat and down through the other leg of the trousers to the contact II in the other shoe 9. The metallic flooring is connected to the negative side of the source 30 of current supply through the medium of the Wire 21.

The operation of the device is thought to be obvious. When the contacts I I are engaged with the contacts Ill, and the arm of the dancer carrying the switch I3, concealed by the coat sleeve, is elevated to extend the horizontal position so that contacts I5 and I8 are engaged the circuit will be completed through the radio 6 and the lamp 8 so that the radio 6 and the lamp 8 will be respectively alternately turned on and illuminated in a spectacular manner.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A switch of the class described comprising a casing having one end open, said casing being formed of non-conducting material, a closure of non-conducting material for said open end,

a strip of conducting material connected to one side of the casing and having a part projecting beyond the open end thereof, a second strip of conducting material connected to the opposite side of the casing and having a part bent at substantially right angles to extend across the open end of the casing and said part being connected with the closure member and resilient to hold the closure member in position closing the open end of the casing, said bent part also having its free end projecting from the closure member to contact the first strip at its projecting end, when the closure member is in closing position, and a,

ball weight in the casing and acting to move the closure member to partly open position to separate the contact strips when said ball is resting on the closure member.

RIDGIE BURR MCCUTCHEON. 

